Environmental Impact Report
Transparent reporting on our sustainability performance, goals, and roadmap — 2020 through 2030
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Our Impact in Numbers
Every pallet we recycle, repair, and reuse represents measurable environmental savings. Here is our most recent annual performance data, along with five years of historical trends showing our growth trajectory.
Yearly Breakdown: 2020-2025
Six years of consistent growth in environmental impact. Our pallet processing volume has nearly doubled since 2020, with proportional gains across all sustainability metrics.
| Year | Pallets | Trees Saved | Diversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 28,100 | 674 | 78% |
| 2021 | 33,600 | 806 | 82% |
| 2022 | 39,800 | 955 | 85% |
| 2023 | 46,700 | 1,121 | 88% |
| 2024 | 52,400 | 1,258 | 92% |
| 2025 (Projected) | 61,000 | 1,464 | 95% |
Carbon Offset Breakdown
How our 356,320 lbs of CO2 prevention breaks down by activity. Pallet reuse is our single biggest contributor to carbon savings.
Carbon Offset Calculation Methodology
Transparency matters. Here is exactly how we calculate our carbon offset numbers, including the conversion factors and data sources we use.
Direct Emissions Avoided (Scope 1)
Emissions prevented by not manufacturing new pallets from virgin lumber. Includes logging, sawmill processing, and kiln drying energy.
Indirect Emissions Avoided (Scope 2)
Electricity and heat energy not consumed by manufacturing new pallets. Accounts for regional grid emissions factors in the Central US.
Landfill Methane Prevention (Scope 3)
Methane that would have been produced by wood decomposing in landfill conditions. Methane has 80x the warming potential of CO2 over 20 years.
Transportation Emissions Reduction
Reduced emissions from optimized delivery routes and shorter supply chains compared to shipping new pallets from distant manufacturers.
Water Savings Analysis
Every pallet we reuse instead of replacing with a new one saves 3.5 gallons of water. Here is how that 183,400 gallon annual savings breaks down by source.
Lumber Processing Water
110,040 gallonsWater used in sawmill operations, log washing, and blade cooling during lumber processing for new pallets.
Tree Growth Water
41,920 gallonsIrrigation and natural water consumption during tree growth that is avoided by not harvesting new timber.
Manufacturing Process Water
20,960 gallonsWater used in pallet assembly facilities for dust suppression, equipment cooling, and facility operations.
Chemical Treatment Water
10,480 gallonsWater used in heat treatment and kiln operations, including steam generation and condensate processing.
Energy Savings Breakdown
Each pallet reused saves approximately 10 kWh of energy that would otherwise be consumed in manufacturing a replacement. Here is how the 524 MWh total breaks down.
Logging & Harvesting
167,680 kWhDiesel fuel energy equivalent for chainsaws, skidders, loaders, and logging trucks.
Sawmill Processing
214,840 kWhElectricity for sawing, planing, drying, and processing raw timber into pallet lumber.
Pallet Assembly
94,320 kWhEnergy for nail guns, conveyors, stacking equipment, and assembly line operations.
Transportation to Market
47,160 kWhFuel energy for transporting finished pallets from manufacturer to end user (avg 200+ miles).
Landfill Diversion Metrics
Our zero-landfill policy means every single pallet we collect is reused, repaired, or recycled. Not one goes to the dump.
Total weight diverted from landfill
Equal to the weight of 131 pickup trucks
Landfill volume saved
Equal to 26 full-size roll-off dumpsters
Methane emissions prevented
Equal to 4.2 metric tons of methane not produced
Landfill lifespan extended
Cumulative impact on Sedgwick County landfill capacity
Decomposition time avoided
Wood pallets take decades to decompose in anaerobic landfill conditions
Tree Equivalency Calculations
Understanding our impact in terms of trees and forests makes the numbers more tangible and relatable.
1,258 trees saved from harvesting
Based on 0.024 trees per pallet (average lumber content of a 48x40 pallet uses approximately 1/42 of a tree).
Enough trees to cover 5 football fields with forest
4,100 trees equivalent in carbon absorption
Our CO2 prevention of 356,320 lbs equals the annual carbon absorption capacity of 4,100 mature trees.
A small forest absorbing CO2 24/7 for an entire year
62,900 board feet of lumber preserved
Each pallet contains approximately 12 board feet of lumber. Reusing 52,400 pallets preserved 62,900+ board feet.
Enough lumber to build 4 average American homes
3.4 acres of forest preserved
Based on average timber density in Kansas hardwood forests (370 trees per acre), our tree savings equal 3.4 acres.
Roughly the size of 2.5 city blocks of forest
Methane Emission Prevention
Landfill methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. By keeping pallets out of landfills, we prevent significant methane emissions that would otherwise accelerate climate change.
Wood pallets in landfills produce methane as they decompose under anaerobic conditions
Each pallet generates approximately 0.7 lbs of CO2-equivalent methane over its 20-30 year decomposition period in a landfill.
Methane is 80x more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas over a 20-year period
Even small amounts of methane have outsized climate impact, making landfill diversion one of the most effective climate actions.
Our diversion of 52,400 pallets prevented 36,700 lbs of CO2-equivalent methane
This is equivalent to taking 4 cars off the road for an entire year, measured in methane impact alone.
Landfill gas capture systems only recover 60-75% of methane produced
Even well-managed landfills with gas capture allow 25-40% of methane to escape into the atmosphere.
Wood recycling into mulch and biomass produces negligible methane
Aerobic decomposition of mulch and controlled biomass combustion produce CO2 but virtually zero methane.
What 52,400 Recycled Pallets Saves
The environmental savings of our annual operations, broken down into relatable comparisons
Enough to cover 5 football fields with forest
Equal to filling 7 residential swimming pools
Enough to power 48 homes for one year
Equivalent to 26 full-size dumpsters
How We Compare to Industry Averages
Our commitment to sustainability puts us well ahead of industry benchmarks across every key metric
| Metric | Pallet Wichita | Industry Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pallets processed | 52,400 | ~25,000 | 2x industry average |
| Waste diversion rate | 92% | ~70% | +22 percentage points |
| CO2 prevented per pallet | 6.8 lbs | ~4.5 lbs | +51% more efficient |
| Pallet trips before recycling | 7.2 avg | ~4.5 avg | +60% longer lifespan |
| Renewable energy use | 35% | ~5% | 7x industry average |
| Repair success rate | 89% | ~65% | +24 percentage points |
| Customer sustainability reporting | 100% | ~15% | Industry leading |
| Zero-landfill policy | Yes | ~10% of firms | Top decile commitment |
Certification Progress
We are pursuing multiple environmental and sustainability certifications to validate our commitments with third-party verification.
SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
Chain of custody certification ensuring all wood products are sourced from responsibly managed forests.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
International standard for environmental management systems, demonstrating systematic environmental stewardship.
B Corporation Certification
Certification for businesses meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
Kansas Green Business Certification
State-level recognition for businesses demonstrating environmental leadership in Kansas.
EPA WasteWise Partner
EPA program recognizing organizations that commit to reducing waste and improving environmental practices.
Sustainability Goals & Progress — 2024 to 2030
Our multi-year roadmap toward carbon-neutral and eventually net-positive operations. We set ambitious targets and track progress transparently.
2024
CompletedProcess 50,000+ pallets annually
52,400 processed
Achieve 90% waste diversion rate
92% achieved
Install solar panels on facility roof
40kW system installed
Launch pallet buyback program
Serving 85+ clients
Implement paperless operations tracking
100% digital records
Reduce water usage in facility by 20%
23% reduction achieved
2025
In ProgressProcess 60,000+ pallets annually
On track (Q2)
Achieve 95% waste diversion rate
Currently at 93%
Add electric delivery vehicle to fleet
Vehicle ordered
Launch customer sustainability certificates
Program live
Reduce facility energy use by 15%
11% achieved so far
Partner with 3 Kansas schools for eco-education
4 schools enrolled
Publish first public sustainability report
Published March 2025
Achieve SFI certification for sourcing
Application submitted
2026
PlannedProcess 75,000+ pallets annually
Target
Achieve 97% waste diversion rate
Target
Convert 50% of delivery fleet to electric
Target
Achieve carbon-neutral operations
Target
Plant 500 trees in Kansas partnership
Target
Install rainwater harvesting system
Target
Launch community pallet recycling drop-off
Target
2027
PlannedProcess 90,000+ pallets annually
Target
Achieve 99% waste diversion rate
Target
Convert 100% of fleet to electric or hybrid
Target
Achieve net-positive carbon operations
Target
Plant 1,000 total trees in Kansas
Target
Launch regional sustainability consulting service
Target
2028-2030
VisionProcess 100,000+ pallets annually
Vision
Maintain 100% waste diversion rate
Vision
Become fully solar-powered facility
Vision
Launch Pallet Wichita Foundation for environmental grants
Vision
Expand zero-landfill program to 5 states
Vision
Plant 5,000 total trees through reforestation partnerships
Vision
Community Environmental Programs
Our environmental commitment extends beyond our business operations into the Wichita community through education, donations, and direct environmental action.
Wichita School Eco-Education Partnership
We partner with 4 Wichita-area schools to provide hands-on education about recycling, sustainability, and the circular economy. Students visit our facility, learn about pallet recycling, and participate in tree-planting events.
400+ students educated annually
Kansas Tree Planting Initiative
In partnership with the Kansas Forest Service, we plant trees to offset our remaining carbon footprint. Our goal is 500 trees in 2026 and 5,000 total by 2030.
150 trees planted to date
Free Community Mulch Program
Wood from pallets beyond repair is ground into mulch and offered free to Wichita residents, community gardens, and city parks. Available for pickup at our facility every Saturday.
45 tons of free mulch distributed in 2024
Small Business Sustainability Grants
We provide $500 grants to small businesses that implement recycling programs or sustainability improvements. Two grants awarded quarterly to Wichita-area businesses.
8 grants awarded totaling $4,000 in 2024
Nonprofit Pallet Donation Program
We donate up to 100 pallets per month to Wichita-area nonprofits for storage, shipping, DIY projects, and community gardens. Priority given to Habitat for Humanity and food banks.
1,200 pallets donated in 2024
Annual Wichita River Cleanup Sponsorship
We sponsor and participate in the annual Arkansas River cleanup event, providing trucks, labor, and funding for waste removal and river habitat restoration.
15 crew-hours volunteered, $2,500 sponsored in 2024
Partner Sustainability Impact
Our environmental impact is amplified by every partner and client in our network. Together, we create a multiplier effect on sustainability.
Our Buyback Clients (200+ businesses)
By selling pallets to us instead of sending them to landfill, our clients collectively prevent 356,320 lbs of CO2 annually.
Our Pallet Buyers (150+ businesses)
Businesses buying used pallets instead of new ones reduce demand for virgin lumber, preserving forests and reducing manufacturing emissions.
Kansas Forest Service
Our tree-planting partnership contributes to statewide reforestation goals, creating carbon sinks that will absorb CO2 for decades.
Wichita Waste Management
Our zero-landfill operations reduce the burden on Sedgwick County landfill infrastructure, extending its operational lifespan.
Local Landscaping Companies
Mulch produced from recycled pallets displaces petroleum-based ground cover products, creating a natural, chemical-free alternative.
Our Path to Carbon Neutrality
We have set an ambitious goal to achieve fully carbon-neutral operations by 2026 and net-positive impact by 2028. Here is how we plan to get there.
Phase 1: Reduce
2023-2024Phase 2: Renewable
2024-2025Phase 3: Offset
2025-2026Phase 4: Net Positive
2027-2030Methodology & Data Sources
Our environmental impact calculations are based on industry-standard conversion factors from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory and the EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM).
Trees saved: Calculated at 0.024 trees per pallet, based on the average lumber content of a 48" x 40" wood pallet (approximately 12 board feet of lumber, sourced from trees averaging 500 board feet of usable lumber).
CO2 prevented: Calculated at 6.8 lbs per pallet, accounting for avoided logging (1.2 lbs), sawmill processing (1.8 lbs), kiln drying (0.6 lbs), transportation (0.5 lbs), manufacturing energy (1.0 lbs), and landfill methane prevention (0.7 lbs).
Water saved: Calculated at 3.5 gallons per pallet, based on water usage in lumber processing (2.1 gal), tree growth irrigation (0.8 gal), manufacturing processes (0.4 gal), and chemical treatment (0.2 gal).
Energy saved: Calculated at 10 kWh per pallet, accounting for logging and harvesting (3.2 kWh), sawmill processing (4.1 kWh), pallet assembly (1.8 kWh), and transportation to market (0.9 kWh).
Methane prevention: Calculated at 0.7 lbs CO2-equivalent per pallet, based on EPA WARM Model v16 wood products module, accounting for anaerobic decomposition rates in managed landfills and the 80x global warming potential of methane over a 20-year timeframe.
All data is self-reported and based on internal tracking systems. We are actively pursuing third-party verification through our ISO 14001 certification process (expected Q1 2026). Historical data for 2020-2023 was reconstructed from operational records and may contain minor estimation adjustments. This report covers our most recent complete fiscal year (2024) with projections for 2025.
Make Your Business Part of the Solution
Every pallet you recycle with us contributes to these numbers. Switch to recycled pallets and join our growing network of 200+ sustainability-conscious businesses in the Wichita area.